Big profit, small profit

(Baonghean) - In recent days, the online community has been buzzing about a Vietnamese girl who went backpacking in the US for only $300.

In her post about her trip, she detailed that many backpackers buy essential items like sleeping bags, camping tents, etc. without removing the labels. After finishing their trip, they return them to the store and get their money back, so they still have the items for the trip without spending any money. When my wife read this story, she gave me a happy slap on the thigh and said to me:

- Honey, from now on I can buy nice clothes without worrying about spending money. I will keep the tags, wear them carefully, and then return them to the store. When I get my money back, I will buy another set. It doesn't cost much and I have new clothes to wear all the time. What a great trick!

- Nonsense, if anyone finds out, how can I face going out? People will think I am a stingy husband who doesn't let his wife buy new clothes, or that I am incompetent and useless and can't make money to take care of my wife and children. Are you trying to "put me down"? The other day I took you shopping for a whole afternoon and you're still not satisfied? Why am I so miserable?

Illustration - Source: Internet

My wife listened to my complaining and then kept quiet, her eyes moist as if she felt guilty. I knew what this attitude meant, she must have just seen a new dress that she was hesitant to ask. But it seemed like she still had hope of learning that free shopping trick, I thought for a moment and then decided to "kill" her idea right from the start.

- What's so great about that petty trick, isn't it like cheating? Not to mention the risks, if the item you "fake" bought is too valuable, and during use it gets damaged, scratched, or lost, wouldn't it be like hitting yourself with the stick? I have a friend who used to study abroad, and when he applied for citizenship, he was rejected for a reason that sounded silly: When he was a student, he had skipped subway tickets several times and was "caught" by the inspector. He thought that paying a fine of a few dozen euros would be enough, but unexpectedly, it was recorded in the citizen management file. When he applied for citizenship, they said, "You are a dishonest person, trying to take advantage of loopholes in the mechanism for your own benefit, we don't welcome you here." Don't think that no one knows about your little tricks and tricks, and that they don't affect you. It's just that people don't care, or it's not the right time yet. People are often blinded by small benefits and then regret it later when they lose bigger benefits!

My wife sat listening attentively, gradually seeming to understand the problem. At this point, she turned to me and whispered: “Honey, it’s just because people often want things beyond their means that they have to waste their time and effort on such tricks. If you have a lot of money, you spend a lot of money, and if you have little money, you spend a little money. So I won’t like this dress anymore, I’ll like a cheaper one, what do you think?”

After hearing that, I fainted!

Hai Trieu